Book Reviews of Dry : A Memoir

I really enjoyed this book, I don't think you have to read "Running with Scissors" first, but if you do, You really need to read this book next! they are totally different but with the same great humor.

I thought in the first book he writing his experiences as he remembered them as a child and that is really different than how we would see those experiences as an adult, which is what makes it so hard for people to believe. In this book he is writing his experiences as an adult.

I find it refreshing that throughout his life and books he focuses on the positive and not the negative like so many other memoirs. He was luckily blessed with an incredible sense of humor that allows him to remain afloat in a world of crap.

I don't think he at says "look at me I have a messed up life aren't I so funny and fabulous" to me he's funny and fabulous IN SPITE of his messed up life... and I've only read two of books but I don't recall his ever thinking he was fabulous. I suppose people think that if he was beaten down his whole life he should act more like it - I'm glad he doesn't!

For people who have not had such a "perfectly normal" life his books are better than therapy! and in his books you can find "hope"


....of having a smile at the end of your worst day ever.

I have read two books by Burroughs and will read no more. I find him a bit too precious; "look at me, I had a messed up life. isn't it funny and aren't I fabulous?" Fans of memoirs and especially RUNNING WITH SCISSORS will find this followup interesting, I am just not one of them

We meet a smoother more polished writer in this book than in his earlier 'Running with Scissors'. This time the story almost seems more personal to him and we follow along from the beginning when he is forced into rehab (though he doesn't believe he needs it or belongs there) through the end where he finally does become 'dry'. I would really recommend this to those who have an addict in their lives- whether their friend or family member is clean or using, this book gives us a better glimpse into the mechanics of addiction as it details and stresses the fine points of temptation that the sober take for granted and the addict probably never can.

For those who may be uncomfortable with the homosexual topics: relationships and acts are discussed however, they are not, for the most part, depicted in as blatantly shocking a manner as in 'Running with Scissors'.

I found this book to be a lot more genuine and usually more humorous than Running With Scissors. Not that Running With Scissors was bad, because it wasn't, but I found RWS more depressing than hilarious. Dry is a great follow up to it that I'd recommend to anyone who has read the first one.

I liked this one MUCH better than Running With Scissors (which I thought was way too out in left field for me - sorry, I don't buy all of it). ANYWAY. This book was really well done, written from the heart and I believed every single word of it. Very well written, I laughed and I cried. I'm anxious to get to the next one!

Dry is a great follow up to it that I'd recommend to anyone who has read the first one. This book is all about the author trying to break his alcohol addiction ... I found it similar to Million Little Pieces without the lies and more believeable. I did tend to find his thought process just sort of go off on a tangent and really have nothing to do with the story (like his Feed The Children and Sally Struthers rant!) but I found myself chuckling more so than I did in his first memoir (Running With Scissors) with his off the wall thoughts.

The sequel to this book is Magical Thinking and is available now.

I liked this book just as much as 'Running With Scissors,' but I didn't find it as funny or as outrageous and interesting. It definitely had more heart-breaking moments, more moments where my heart felt anguished and I was rooting for him or crying for him. I could definitely relate to some of what he was talking about, as I used to work with substance abusers in outpatient treatment. It gave me more insight seeing an addict write about his experience in his own words. If you're going to read this book, it's a good idea to read 'Running with Scissors' first -- it gives the background of what got Augusten where he is in this book.

Not as funny or as compelling as Running With Scissors, but still decent. On the other hand, it's definitely a more mature read. Somewhat sad ending.

I could not put this book down. Mr. Burroughs makes it easy to become emotionally invested in him - I wanted to protect him for his hurts, slap some sense into him when he made obviously wrong choices. I really enjoyed this book following 'Running with Scissors'.

This was a very interesting look into the life of a recovering alcoholic. Less massive drama than the last book with the story of his crazy upbringing but very good and at times sad..

I really enjoyed this book. Much more than Running with Scissors but I am glad I read the other first.

Well written. I liked this one as much or better than Running With Scissors. It wasn't as funny and shocking as that one, though. It was sad, but good.

Dark and slightly disturbing, this book was strangely addictive

Entertaining.

liked this book

I have read three books by Augusten Burroughs and found them entertaining and possibly believable, although I have had more than my fill from this author. He tells many of the same stories throughout his books but chooses to give different facts each time he tells them (ages, dates, where they met). In Dry contradicts himself within pages - Page 166: "My mother had a stroke ten years ago that left the right side of her body paralyzed"; Page 168(same book! referring to his mother): "Or another stroke like the one that took away her left side". I might have gotten too caught up in the details but even the story as a whole didn't captivate me.

I love all his books and find him a fascinating author. This one didn't disappoint.

I loved the honesty in this book. Its less shocking than Running With Scissors and more enjoyable.

Augusten Burroughs is GREAT. I loved his self-deprecating humor mixed in with his painful experiences. This is a bittersweet memoir.

This was a very compelling book. I enjoyed it much more than "Running with Scissors."

Excellent read

So honest and shallow its funny.

I love this man's writing. His books are so hard to put down.

Good read, but not as interesting as Running w/Scissors.

Very touching and real. Though it was witty and funny at times, dealing with serious alcoholism is not funny, and hr makes that plenty clear.

A person overcoming an alcohol addiction and coming across others w/the same addiction in rehab.Very funny and inspiring to anyone who has any type of addiction or has been affected by someone who has.

Kind of glib about alcoholism in general, but still has loads of painful memories and funny observations.

A funny, harrowing group of stories about Burroughs' struggle with alcoholism.

There is nothing better than a book that can make you laugh AND cry, and somehow Burroughs does that to me in this brutally honest memoir of his alcoholism and road to recovery.

Fantastiic book. Iread it in two days, which I never find time to do. Very easy to relate to even if you don't know anyone whose suffered with alcoholism. Funny in so many ways.

One of my favorites!

If you liked "A Million Little Pieces," you'll love "Dry." A very humorous memoir of becoming sober.

Much better than 'Running With Scissors' - Augustin Burroughs actually seems to have been emotionally involved with this part of his life, where he comes to terms with being an alcoholic.

One of the greatest memoirs I have ever read. It especially allowed me to relate to a member of my family who was in rehab at Betty Ford for drugs and alcohol. Stupendous read

This was my first encounter with Burroughs. I had the book on CD and listened to it during part of my 16hr round trip drive to Baltimore from Boston. It was utterly entertaining and the time flew, I can't wait to read more of his work! Very fun but also very real. A great read/listen!

I continue to be deeply impressed and touched by Burroughs's honesty. This is a powerful read -- funny, sad, wrenching. Not for the faint of heart, but the truth never is.

Skillfully witty, sad, and funny all at the same time. Courageous to write so openly about deeply painful episodes but the humor stops it being too sad. Very honest. A great read. I can't wait for more from him.

Funny and honest. If you like Dave Sedaris you'll probably like this.

James Frey's a million little pieces meets the screwed up world of corporate life. GREAT read! Strong writing so dont attempt it if you arent ready for more Frey-like gruesomeness.

Not as shocking as "Running With Sissors", but still a great book!

A great book, both touching and funny. Enjoyed it much more than his first book, Running with Scissors.

A FUNNY TOUCHING TRUTHFUL BOOK THAT YOU WILL REMEMBER FOR A LONG TIME. iF YOU READ AND LIKED RUNNING WITH SCISSORS, YOU WILL LIKE THIS BOOK. IF YOU ARE IN RECOVERY YOU WILL LOVE THIS BOOK!

Much more hopeful and obviously realistic than A million little pieces look at rehab.

"Dry catches the reader off guard on every page, challenging what we've come to expect from rehab literature"..........Paper Magazine

I hust love Augusten Burroughs!!!!

I adore Augusten Burroughs, and this book was no exception. Funny, sad, and hopeful.

This book is haunting and hilarious at the same time. I couldn't put it down.

Not as good as his first book, but still good.

Loved it!

I find Augusten Burroughs, in this book, to be far more unlikable than he was in "Running with Scissors." "Dry" is still well-written, however, and worth a read.

Great book if you enjoy memoirs and struggles that people go through. His first book was good.What a bizarre life this man had. It is hard to beleive it is true! The first one is "Running with Scissors". You do not need to read it first to follow this one, but I recommend it, also.

honest, thought provoking, scary at times. but great all around.

Burroughs has a magnificent way of expressing/telling of his topsy turvy and often turbulent life. He lays it out plain as day, makes it easy to feel disgust, anger and compassion for all involved.

The first book was much better, but this one was still incredible. I could not put it down and even as you are laughing, the next page you are in tears. As you read you feel for everyone in the book and you want to reach out and help them.

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